My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at

is so

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut

candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss

a little girl in pigtails, immediately said,

must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

must close her eyes and make

Rachel must blow

to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to such

‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very

little girl who wasn’t even at table height

children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the

you!” their parents

raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

Rachel finally smiled for the first time

Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about

as well pretend it never existed for

“Go on upstairs, then. It’s

and

her apartment and

the door was propped open by a large hand from

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made

on business? she

explaining himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before

see you’ve been

she took two steps

resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw

“I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

by step he approached her, forcing her back inch by

idea

pulled, she staggered after